Hyundai Lays Off Majority of Supernal Staff Amid Doubts Over eVTOL Future

March 2, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1772452890190-2954

Korean Automaker Cuts Jobs at California-Based Air Mobility Subsidiary Amid Uncertainty

Hyundai has laid off the majority of staff at its California-based advanced air mobility subsidiary Supernal, citing doubts over the future of eVTOL development. According to The Air Current, 296 employees were affected by the cuts, with some remaining in caretaking roles. This move follows a pause in Supernal’s eVTOL development announced in September 2025, which was attributed to technological and financial risks. As several other eVTOL companies have also halted or cancelled their development efforts, Hyundai’s decision may signal a broader industry reevaluation.

Sponsored by Jumpseat Solutions, jumpseatsolutions.com

Key Takeaways

Hyundai laid off majority of Supernal staff on February 27, 2026.
296 employees affected, with some remaining in caretaking roles.
Supernal pauses eVTOL development due to technological and financial risks.

Hyundai Airbus Textron

Strategic Implications

This move may indicate Hyundai’s reassessment of its investment strategy for the urban air mobility market. The pause in Supernal’s eVTOL development could suggest a shift towards prioritizing other areas of the business, such as conventional automotive or aerospace operations. However, it is unclear whether this decision will have broader implications for the industry.